Bengals rally in second half for important win over Eagles

A turnover-fueled second half scoring barrage kept the Cincinnati Bengals from taking a costly blow to their postseason hopes in a 34-13 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.

The win temporarily moves the Bengals (8-6) into the final playoff in the AFC as they take a half-game lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers for the final Wild Card spot. The Steelers currently hold the tie-breaker due to head-to-head record, but the two teams play again next week in a game that is likely to decide the final playoff spot in the conference.

With the Eagles holding a 13-10 lead late in the third quarter, Philadelphia (4-10) finally reverted to the form they’ve shown throughout most of the season. The Eagles turned the ball over four times in seven minutes — three times in just over a minute — and the Bengals capitalized on every opportunity to blow the game wide open.

Quarterback Nick Foles was intercepted by Bengals cornerback Leon Hall on a badly under-thrown ball and returned 44 yards into Philadelphia territory. An eight-play drive was capped by an 11-yard touchdown run by quarterback Andy Dalton to give the Bengals a 17-13 lead.

Eagles running back Bryce Brown fumbled on the second play from scrimmage on the Eagles’ ensuing drive. Defensive tackle Pat Sims hit Brown three yards in the backfield and Wallace Gilberry scooped up the ball and rumbled 25 yards for a touchdown. Philadelphia fumbled again on their next offensive play when tight end Clay Harbor coughed up the ball to five possession back to Cincinnati.

A 32-yard field goal by Josh Brown gave the Bengals a 27-13 lead. Cincinnati then hit a short kickoff that was muffed by defensive tackle Cedric Thornton and recovered by Taylor Mays. Five plays later, Dalton hit A.J. Green for a 5-yard score to take a commanding 34-13 lead.

The Eagles managed to run for just 42 yards against the Cincinnati defense. Foles completed 16 of 33 passes for 182 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Dalton was similarly unspectacular. He completed just 13 of 26 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown but also lost two fumbles that led to a pair of Philadelphia field goals to take the lead. BenJarvus Green-Ellis carried 25 times for 106 yards and a touchdown to lead the Bengals offense.

The final score was not indicative of how the game was played out. Sloppy game by the Bengals, but even sloppier by the Eagles. But all that matters is that the Bengals got a win and still control their playoff fate. Who Dey!

If they can teach the Offense to be Offensive and the Defense to be Defensive, everything would be Okey-Dokey. N. Foles is not the answer, looks like just another so-so QB ( in a long line of so-so Eagles QB’s ). If, (and a big IF it is ) I had the power to run the team, Vick would go, Draft a QB, let Foles run the team next year, Keep Andy, revamp asst. coaches. I know the Andy R. thing will not be popular, but with a year to work, and a healthy team, “Stuff” can happen. Anyhoo that’s my two cents. (At least they won’t be embarrassed in the playoffs)

Before every season for the last dozen years those talking heads and other eagle lovers put them in a playoff position before the first pregame has been played. I for one am thrilled that each year they don’t disappoint me with their pathetic season. Please just stop putting them on such a lofty position and save all the accolades for a team that has earned the praise.

What an ugly game. Bengals offense (more importantly that offensive line. yes offensive used in two different definitions) need some serious work. Too many dropped passes or bad throws. And geez that o-line needs to protect the damn QB. That was the worst game I’ve seen from them all season. No way they deserve the playoffs playing like that.

worst game of Dalton’s career, he needs to make better quicker decisions, good thing the defense came to play as usual, if Dalton plays like that against the Steelers or Ravens post season is over…
======

Take a look at the players around Dalton before you throw him under the bus. Nobody got open all game except Green and the Oline was destroyed by their defensive front.

@whodeytn
I totally agree however he had many running lanes that he should have taken and threw bad passes instead, the o line was not good doesn’t help when left tackle is playing with concussion… but you can’t tell me that wasn’t his worst game and they can’t afford to have him play that way against good teams in the Steelers and ravens or they won’t make the playoffs….